Hulu Plus is Here, Sorta
Is $9.99 the New Normal?

Sorta, as in right now its register, then get an invite. Its not a bad strategy either. Run a test case with a small body of users to get the kinks out. A method I would heartily support.

But the question I have is it it worth $10? For the money you get –

• Access to more shows from the major networks.
• Access to the past seasons archives.
• It will be viewable on more devices (iPod, iPhone, Samsung devices, Sony PS3, Xbox, your PC)
• All of it available in HD.
• Oh, and you still have to watch all the ads. The price of entry does not spare one from this.

Now ole Fuddy-Duddy here says maybe its worth $10. Fact if they would ditch the ads I would give a serious thumbs up. I would also suggest they consider bringing in other partners like USA Network as well. Finally I could really care less that HuluPlus runs on an Xbox or PS3. I don’t game.

But with a little jiggering of the content. Dropping of the ads. Then getting some of the channel partners like HBO on board in an ala carte fashion this could fly. There is only one problem. HD already exists over the air and that ole trusty Tivo is still there with the FF button. So questions boils down to does access to the archive of shows worth the $10.

My last Ah-Ha. Does HuluPlus set the new price model for broadband content? Personally I think it does. Not because I think the content is competitive as what $40/mo cable provides. No, its a market perception thing. Once the public gets it in their mind that $10 is the value proposition the cable Cos won’t be able to shake it. Serious downward pressure waits in the wings.

Now, do the networks have the guts to pull content off the cable providers?

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